John baptises Christ in the Jordan. Engraving by P. Galle, 1564, after M. van Heemskerck.

  • Heemskerk, Martin van, 1498-1574.
Date:
1564
Reference:
22438i
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Description

Bible. N.T. Matthew 3.13-17; Mark 1.9-13; Luke 3.21-22. John 1.29-32. On the left John remonstrates with the Pharisees and Sadducees, the "generation of vipers" (Matthew 3.7-10; Luke 3.7-9). Two locusts, a staple of John's diet in the wilderness, lie on the bankside, next to something which may be intended to be a honeycomb. In the centre, John baptises Jesus and the Holy Spirit appears in the form of a dove, descending from a trinity of ghostly faces above. Next to John's reed cross sits a lamb (referring to John's exclamation on seeing Christ, "Behold the lamb of God" (John 1.36)). On the right are the people bathing in the Jordan, baptised by John. The figure walking in the distance is Jesus, who should be approaching the baptism, but is walking away

Publication/Creation

1564

Physical description

1 print : line engraving ; image 19 x 25.9 cm

Lettering

Hic vitreas Christum tingit Iordanis ad undas, / Quó meat alba columba, paterni testis amoris Bears number: 4

Reference

Wellcome Collection 22438i

Reproduction note

After: a drawing by Maarten van Heemskerck in the British Museum, in the reverse dirction to the engraving. In the drawing John baptises with his left hand, in the engraving with his right hand

Notes

The fourth in a series of six prints of the life of the Baptist. The sixth bears the acknowledgment "MHe in." and the date 1564

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